(No Date) Brass Civil War Store Card F-770B-2b, M. Osborn IN

Coin Details

Description

M. Osborn of Plainfield issued this token as emergency currency during the Civil War coin shortage. Hoosier merchants in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and smaller towns issued Civil War tokens reflecting Indiana's diverse commercial landscape. M. Osborn issued 8 die varieties, more than most Civil War merchants. Struck in brass, this die combination (Fuld 770B-2b) is common to somewhat scarce. Most Civil War store cards carry no date; this token was struck during the 1862-1864 coin shortage era. Die sinkers produced these tokens on hand-operated screw presses, often filling orders for multiple merchants simultaneously. The hoarding of federal coinage created an acute shortage of small change, prompting thousands of merchants to issue tokens as practical substitutes. Brass was the second most common planchet material after copper, giving tokens a golden appearance.

Rarity Notes

Brass strikings are among the more available metal variants, though typically less common than copper. With 8 cataloged varieties, M. Osborn was a minor token issuer.

Cross References

Fuld 770B-2b